RAJAR: Sunrise Radio & Lyca Radio share No.1 spot in London
Sunrise Radio and Lyca Radio have delivered the same weekly reach for the first time in latest radio audience figures, published by RAJAR for Q4/23.
The results have put Lyca Radio jointly at No.1 with Sunrise Radio for the first time in history. The two stations recorded a weekly reach of 108,000. Sunrise Radio lost 16,000 in the past three months, while Lyca Radio was down by 8,000 – putting the two stations on par. However, Lyca Radio had an edge over Sunrise Radio with impressive average listening hours per listener shooting up from 5.5 hours to 7.2 hours, compared to Sunrise Radio going down from 4.5 to 4.0 hours.
Sunrise Radio, which has comfortably sat at No.1 for the past 35-years, has had its leadership challenged significantly over the past couple of years by Lyca Radio. A year ago, Sunrise Radio recorded a reach of over 160,000 but its reach too a huge hit last year when it lost over 35,000 listeners in Q3/23. Comparatively, Lyca Radio has climbed from 94k a year ago, to 113k (Q2/23) and 116k (Q3/23).
There was further good news for the Lyca Group, as Lyca Gold’s weekly reach dropped only by 6,000. It registered 74,000 – down from 80,000 in Q4/23. Like Lyca Radio, Lyca Gold’s average listening hours per listener also zoomed up from 4.5 to 7.1.
Raj Baddhan, CEO of Lyca Media said, “We are elated with the latest set of listening figures for Lyca Radio and Lyca Gold. Together the Lyca Group is the No.1 Asian radio group. Its a double whammy for us as we celebrate our 10th anniversary of Lyca Radio with these game changing figures. The solid numbers reaffirm our strategy in providing high quality content to Greater London.
“I would personally like to pay tribute to my wonderful team, who continue to work round the clock in strengthening our output. A huge thanks to our commercial partners for having faith in the Lyca brands and above all, our listeners that have given us immense love over the years in making Lyca Radio and Lyca Gold what they are.
“With the launch of Lyca Radio in Greater Manchester this April, we’re about to offer a refreshing choice locally for the North West of England audience – something not catered for on this extent before! Watch this space.”
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Panjab Radio remained steady with its listening data in Greater London. The station was down slightly from 103,000 to 96,000. Its listening hours remained strongest amongst all Asian radio stations with 10.0 – down from 11.1.
Surjit Singh Ghuman MBE, Managing Director of Panjab Radio, states “The latest data proves Panjab Radio is a powerful voice in the South Asian community and trusted source of information which is why listeners tune in for longer. I am really happy that Panjab Radio is still making a mark as a radio station the South Asian community can trust.”
National
Nationally, BBC Asian Network remained the No.1 Asian radio station with a reach of 448,000 – down by 14,000, from 462,000. Its average listening hours per listener was down from 6.9 to 4.8.
Like Sunrise Radio in Greater London, Sunrise Radio National was down also by 16,000. It recorded a reach of 317,000. This is the second drop in the past six months for Sunrise Radio National, after dropping from 351k to 333k in Q3/23 and now to 317k.
Tony Lit, MBE, MD Sunrise Radio comments, “RAJAR Q4 2023 was released this morning, confirming once again that Sunrise Radio is the largest and the UK’s number one commercial Asian radio station, with a weekly reach of 317,000 listeners. Sunrise is now in its 35th year of broadcasting and we have prepared an exciting lineup of events and on-air features for our listeners in 2024. On the 29th of February 2024 it will be the 8th anniversary of the launch of Sunrise Radio nationally and to celebrate we will be announcing some really big news live on Sunrise Radio, so make sure you don’t miss it. Sunrise Radio’s sister station Sunrise Smooth continues to make waves in London, available on DAB in London, also on the Sunrise Radio App, and through your smart speaker, with official audience figures out soon. And as always, thanks to our wonderful audience, commercial partners, and the Sunrise Team.”
